News

It's not too late to enter the race for the eBay Motors Ford Mustang GT-R.

Race gaming has never been so fierce or closely fought as Codemasters today announced that the GRID playable demo has roared past the one million downloads mark across the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows formats since its launch on May 8th.

For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system gamers, racing in the demo has become seriously competitive as the eBay Motors Challenge reaches its final few days. With the eBay Motors-branded Ford Mustang GT-R as the ultimate prize, it's not too late to join the legions of players on the San Francisco eBay Motors Muscle Cup track and set a personal best in the demo's Time Trial section.

To be placed amongst America's finest and fastest racers, the time to beat in this U.S. exclusive challenge currently stands at just over an awesome 99 seconds* - 1:39.45. To view the latest and greatest lap times on the leaderboard, visit http://community.grid-game.com/win-ebay-mustang/scoreboard.php.

The eBay Motors Challenge will conclude on Sunday May 25th at midnight. The top five fastest players will be invited to attend the exclusive U.S. launch event for GRID on June 4th in San Francisco and compete in one final racing challenge to win the Mustang GT-R. Further details and full terms and conditions are available from the website.

"In designing GRID, we focused on delivering the true thrill of the race experience. Since the demo launched it's been hugely rewarding to hear the fantastic reaction from gamers and see them getting seriously competitive in the eBay Motors Challenge," said Clive Moody, GRID's Senior Producer. "We're staggered with the lap time's being set - the top five racers have now bettered any time than anyone in the studio has achieved!"

Delivering intense competition right from the start, the GRID demo is now available to download from Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network with the Games For Windows demo available from http://community.grid-game.com/. The eBay Motors Challenge is exclusive to the console editions of the demo.

GRID, scheduled to ship to U.S. retail outlets on June 3, takes players to dramatic and beautifully realized race locations over three continents to compete in an exhilarating variety of racing events. Packed with the most powerful race cars - new and classic, circuit and drift - players compete to conquer the most prestigious official racetracks and championships, and in urban street races. GRID will be available for the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3 system and Games for Windows with a Nintendo DS edition to follow and is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. To register for driver briefings and get a place on the grid, be sure to visit www.grid-game.com.

ABOUT THE GRID DEMO
In addition to the eBay Motors Challenge, the GRID demo enables players to experience a trio of GRID World racing showdowns. Take to the wheel of a virtual Ford Mustang GT-R on the streets of San Francisco in the eBay Motors Muscle Cup. In Japan, race in a Nissan S15 Silvia in the Advan Drift Trophy at Yokohama Docks, while the sweeping curves and hairpins of the Jarama circuit in Spain plays host to the Euro Touring Cars championship featuring BMW 320si touring cars. For players who want to challenge each other online, the demo delivers 12-player competitions at the European and U.S. locations. The Time Trial option and the eBay Motors Challenge is exclusive to the console editions of the demo.

*Time correct at time of writing (12 noon, UK, 21st May 2008).

ABOUT CODEMASTERS
Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company's dominant brands include Colin McRae DiRT, Overlord, Clive Barker's Jericho, Race Driver GRID and Operation Flashpoint. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Universal City, Calif. The company also maintains operations in Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.com

ASK ABOUT GAMES
Codemasters supports askaboutgames.com - a UK initiative designed to help parents understand the age ratings system for computer and video games so that they can make more informed choices when choosing games for their children.